Miners want out of Nabire

JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: Fearing reprisals after a clash with locals, about 15,000 migrant gold miners have asked the local government of Nabire for assistance to flee the region.

Antara reported that the conflict took place in Topo district on Monday, Aug. 10, between native miners from Biak and Dani, and those from Sangir, Maluku.

In the fight, one Biak miner, one Dani, one tribesman from Nabire and nine miners from Sangir were killed. The tension spread to Nabire city, some 70 kilometers from Topo, and led to the burning and vandalism of two markets and dozens of shops.

The rioters, composed of members of local tribes, also mobbed the head and members of the Nabire legislative council, and damaged the council office. A government-sponsored truce was effected Wednesday, but Sangir miners still insist they feel unsafe and want to return to their home region.

Col. F.X. Agus Sediono of the local military command said many of the outsider miners were now sheltered in military and police barracks, awaiting transportation by the KM Rinjani vessel.

Hundreds of Chinese-Indonesian traders have also fled Nabire.

The local mine in Topo was opened two years ago, attracting about 30,000 people from various regions to pan for gold. (swe)